A movie that needs more than one viewing to fully appreciate

Rating: 10/10 (16 July 2007)

What a great "small" movie. (Small only in the compactness of the story, the presentation and the performances) This movie has a wonderful authentic look...like stepping back into the heyday of the beginnings of jazz as an accepted art form and being one of the participants.
The casting is superb. Tim Roth is so believable as this complex and talented character. Isn't it interesting that - in the end - we only exist in the memories of those who knew us? We are born without a name, we are molded by our environment and those closest to us, succeed (or fail) through our own efforts and strive to die on our own terms.
I'm not sure that 1900 has a moral or a message - but - it does have lessons for all of us. Our life is our "ship". Where we sail, how we sail and with whom we sail will define us.
The use of music in this movie is unique. When 1900 plays Silent Night after Jelly Roll Morton's first turn at the piano is the ultimate "put down". 1900 has just said: "Beautiful - but oh so SIMPLE!) The duplication of the second number is the glove to the face.
It's a shame this movie was not given proper promotion in the U. S..
I can't wait to use the line: Here, you smoke it, I don't know how!